My wife and I decided to spend new Year's in the Pátzcuaro area. Being Mexico City based, we planned to drive and also get to know some of the surrounding attractions.

We found the hotel via the Internet and from the moment of making our reservations, the service was simply outstanding. Joel (Front Desk Manager) is extremely friendly, capable and helpful, so the whole process was done quickly and efficiently. Our rate (which was very reasonable for the season) included welcome drink ,full Mexican breakfast every day , as well as the New Year's Eve party (dinner, glass of bubbly, music, etc)

Getting there from Mexico City is no problem, as the 4 lane highway (via Morelia) is very modern and well maintained.

The hotel has no parking lot per se, but you can easily park at a public parking area (discounted rate brokered through the hotel) about 50 meters away (just opposite the hotel). They give you a special rate and you can come and go as often as you want.

The hotel itself is really well maintained and spotless. It is a renovated construction dating all the way back to the 17th century, complete with its colonial architecture, three inside patios, fountains, lots of wood, Mexican artwork, etc. Really beautiful.The staff (ALL of them) were extremely friendly and cared for our every need (including bringing wood for the in-room fireplace at 11PM). We were also fortunate to meet the owner who, aside from being very funny and charming, reflects the passion she has for the hotel, her employees and the Pátzcuaro area in general.

Our room was in the back above the third patio (away from the street - thus VERY quiet) and was spacious, and extremely clean.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the main dining room, featuring colonial style and 15 ft high ceilings, overlooking the street. Food was excellent, service VERY attentive and the location just great.

Patzcuaro itself, as well as the surrounding towns and villages have so much to offer to those who want to experience a bit of the traditional Mexico (awaty from the beach resort hustle and bustle). The hotel, being nestled right inside this beautiful area, is a gem, well worth the trip.

I have stayed in this hotel more than ten times. I have carried guests there on at least five of those times. I have recommended the hotel to many others. I can't imagine what happened to cause the comments posted under "Gringo Naco", but suspect the fault lies not with the hotel. They are most accomodating. Excellent restaurant. Excellent location. The only complaint I've ever heard was that the rooms are dark...which some are.

My wife and I spent a month in Mexico and put 4000km on a rental car visting the west coast and interior. Our travels brought us to Patzcuaro and La Mansion De Los Suenos... During the four days we stayed at Los Suenos, we explored the town and the surrounding area. If you are looking for craft items the area is full of small towns and villages each with an individual craft speciality... furniture, pottery, copper, straw art, guitars, textiles, etc. It's a shoppers paradise...

Los Suenos is located a couple of blocks from the main square which is surrounded by shops, other hotels and restaurants. The hotel staff was wonderful to us and the food and service in their restaurant was superb. Just one warning...English is not the first language of the staff, so communication can be a little hit and miss sometime... Saying this, we were always treated with respect and the folks went out of their way to help us....including spending hours on the telephone helping us locate a hotel at our next destinaton. I cannot thank these folks enough for their help.

The price of the room included breakfast which we ordered off the menu... Their lunch and dinner menu is very good and the service was always top notch and professional. There is a small bar off the main dining room if you just want a drink.

The rooms vary in size and configuration... All are decorated with local handicraft....My only complaint is that in the case of our room, there could be more lighting..The room was a little dark even during the day... The bed was king size and very comfortable.. The room came with a large bathroom..and lots of hot water.. A small lounge area with a wood buring fireplace was located next to the bed... In all the place was more than comfortable and we really enjoyed our stay with the staff at Los Suenos. Would we stay there again....You bet!!!

After driving for seven hours, three of them through blinding rain over twisting, mountain roads, we arrived gratefully at Los Suenos. They were expecting us and it was a relief to turn our car over to the attentive valet. I went to our room with the luggage while my husband signed in. Laughter trailed behind me as pleasantries were exchanged in the office. My back was killing me and I was happy to accept the complementary massage from Ignacio while my husband relaxed with wine and botanas. We were delighted the staff clearly remembered us from two previous visits.

We had requested the same room, the one decorated with a handpainted bluebird in the centre of each tile; over the king size bed, an elegant chandelier in deep blue glass; and a tiny fireplace. The familiarity was comforting after the tension of dangerous mountain driving. A bubble bath in the deep, oversize tub set me up for dinner in the main dining room. It was exactly as we remembered it: spacious, high ceiling, not too large, a huge bouquet of fresh flowers at the entrance, a few small tables, and a lovely, large fireplace, elegantly decorated.

On our last visit, we had not bothered to dine anywhere else, we were so pleased with the variation and quality of the food served at Los Suenos. This time, we were determined to venture out, and Priscilla, the owner was a great help in recommending restaurants she thought we might like. Indeed, she suggested her favourite when she went out and we were surprised to discover that the owner was the sister of the manager/owner of our favourite restaurant in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco.

Unfortunately, my back troubled me so much that most of my three days at Los Suenos was spent in bed or under the practiced hands of Ignacio. Evenings, with the bed turned back by the maid and chocolates left on the covers, while a new fire burned cozily were a charming aid to sleep.

After the first night, we changed to the yellow room which was brighter and quieter. Not that the other room was noisy, but it is next to a school and though the children sang beautiful choral music in the early morning, we preferred more quiet.

One of the things we love about Los Suenos is that it's like visiting the home of a relative. There are no obnoxious signs in the room to tell us we are in a hotel. Doors latch only when you are in the room. There is an aura of trust and security, of being well looked after. Priscilla is very warm and her carefully chosen staff mirror her own qualities.

I couldn't end without mentioning the murals and the furnishings. I am a fine artist who, besides teaching, used to procure art for a prestigious Canadian university and believe I have some modest qualifications to comment on the art work. The large murals on the courtyard walls are very well executed and represent Mexican rural life in the area. Every city and village in Mexico has murals and it is delightful to enjoy these which are better than most. There are many pieces of rustic, handcarved furniture, quite beautiful and representative of the area. A "spiderman" crucifix lingers in my mind, for its uniqueness, delicately relating an ancient symbol to a modern world.

We are planning to return to Patzcuaro for the famous "Day of the Dead" celebration, and wouldn't think of staying anywhere but La Mansion de los Suenos.